Carbon surface derivatization by electrochemical reduction of a diazonium salt in situ produced from the nitro precursor

► A glassy carbon electrode was modified by reduction of a diazonium salt in situ produced from a nitro compound. ► Two different procedures have been used as the nitro was reduced with or without sodium nitrite. ► Under optimized conditions, glassy carbon electrodes can be successfully derivatized from either amino or nitro compounds.